Journal seal



' Oct. 21, 1958 R. K. H. RUNKNAGEL 2,857,180

JOURNAL SEAL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 9, 1955 rA/rs.

Oct. 21, 1958 R. K. H. RuNkNAGEL 2857130 JOURNAL sEAL;

Filed Dec. 9, 1955 2 Sheets- Shee't 2 37 w w I 171 6' INVENTOR.

States Unite `IOURNAL SEAlL Application December 9, 1955, Serial No. 552,148

19 Claims. (Cl. 286-6) This invention relates to a journal seal, for example, a railroad car journal seal and is concerned in particular With a replaceable seal adapted to be installed over the journal of a railroad car axle between the journal box and the wheel adjacent the said box. It isa general object of this invention to provide a reliable inexpensive means for sealing the journal to exclude foreign matter from the journal box and that can be installed without dismantling of the truck assembly of the railroad car.

The design and construction of railroad car truck assemblies is highly developed and in general is standardized throughout the railroad industry. The axle and Wheels are built as units of construction and are characterized by a pair of spaced Wheels carried on a central axle, there being trunnions or journals concentric With and projecting from the ends of the axle outboard of the Wheels. The railroad trucks are usually supported by two or more axle and wheel units and are characterized by side frames having a journal box at each wheel journal. Thejournals extend into the journal boxes to engage with the brasses or journal bearings and to engage with oil bearing waste or With suitable lubricators. The outer ends of the journal boxes are closed by covers while the inner ends of the boxes are provided with dust guards. The dust guards usually have a slot for receiving a sealing element that passes the journal.

With the usual construction thus far referred to, there is no way to replace or renew the sealing elements surrounding the journals at the inner ends of the journal boxes. That is, there is no way to remove and reinstall a sealing member Without partially or completely disassembling the truck of the railroad car. For example, a sealing member can be installed only after the side frame of the truck is removed so that the sealing member and side frame can be simultaneously engaged over the journal. This results in expensive repair Operations in order to install or replace a relatively inexpensive part of the truck assembly.

An object of this invention is to provide a journal seal for railroad cars that can be removed and reinstalled or replaced without disassembly of the truck of the car. With the seal that I have provided, only a minimum number of parts at the journal box are removed in orderl to install or replace a seal with the result that considerable time and expense is saved in maintenance Operations.

It is an object of this invention to provide a journal seal that is flexible so that it can be manipulated into Working position, so that it will conform to the size of the parts to be sealed, and so that it aligns itself to both radial and axial variations or movements of the journal and journal box parts under operating conditions.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a retainer for a seal of the character referred to that secures the seal in selective positions after it is properly aligned Uatent 2,857,18tl Patented Oct. 21, 1958 Ace with the journal. The retainer that I provide s employed in place of the ordinary dust guard and slot construction and is carried over the journal and is releasably fastened to the journal box to hold the seal in working position.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a new and improvcd sealing element for engagement with a surface to be sealed, which element has flexibility and non-glazing characteristics. The particular sealing element is in the form of a ring that is variable as to diameter and which absorbs lubricant and also foreign particles. The sealing element is extremely flexible and conforms to the configuration of the surface to be sealed.

Further, it is an object of this invention to provide a journal seal of the character referred to with means that yieldingly urges the sealing element or elements thereof into pressure engagement with the surface to be sealed.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view taken through the truck assembly of a railroad car and showing the journal boxes carried by the side frames and illustrating the application of the seal of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detailed longitudinal sectional view through one of the journal boxes shown in Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 4 are reduced detailed sectional views taken as indicated by lines 3 3 and 4-4 on Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing parts of the journal box removed and the sealing element of the present invention in the process of being installed. Fig. 6 is a detailed view of the sealing element of the present invention as it would appear removed from the journal construction. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 6 and taken as indicated by line 7-7 on Fig. 6, and Fig. 8 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of the sealing ring that I have provided and which is carried by the sealing element shown in Fig. 6.

The journal seal of the present invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with railroad cars having the general construction above referred to. It is to be understood, however, that there are other machines involving journal constructions that may be provided with the seal of the present invention. A typical car axle and wheel unit X is illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, a portion of a truck Y being shown. In accordance with the usual truck construction, there is a journal box Z carried by the truck Y at each end of the axle and wheel unit X. The exact details of construction may vary widely as circumstances require, the particular construction shown being for purpose of illustration only.

The axle and wheel unit X is shown as a typical unit of the type under consideration and involves a central elongate axle 10, a pair of spaced Wheels 11, and a pair of trunnions or journals 12 that project from the ends of the axle outboard of the Wheels. The axle 10 is a straight shaft-like part, the Wheels 11 being carried on the hubs 13 or end portions thereof. A common journal construction is shown in Figs. 2 and 5 of the drawnigs which may involve a turned dust seal seat 14, the journal 15 per se,

and a journal collar 16. The sea't 14, journal 15, and` collar 16, are turned concentric with the axle 10, the seat 14 extending outwardly from the hub 13 and joined with the hub through a suitable fillet. The journal 15 is turned down to be of considerably smaller liameter than the seat 14 and extends outwardly from the seat' 14 and joins with the seat through afillet 177. The fillet 17 is formed on a radius that is tangent to thev surface of the.

ing engagement wi'th the journalbox Z.` The collar 16' is of axial extent to afiordinecess'arystrength and rigidity. Under operating conditions, the' journal 155 takes the radial thrust or' supporti'ng load. while th'e fillet 17 'and flange 16 take the axial thrust or side loads.,

The truckY may be of any suitable construction and involves What Ivv will term apair of'side frames 20. The frames 20l carry the journal boxesZand are tied together by a structure. that supports the car body (not shown). In practice, the truck Y` and journal boxes Ziare: integrally formed as by casting or the like.

The journal box Z is an elongate element that extends axially of the axle 10 and rotatably receives the journal 12 andfiinvolves generally a housing 21, a` brass or journal bearingv 22, a bearing wedge 23, and a lubricator 24. The housing 21? has a top 25 that engages Withthe. wedge 23 and has sides 2`6`th'at dependffrom the top. establiishing a chamber for receiving the journal 12. The bottom of the housing, 21 is closed by a sump or reservoir 27 for containing oil orlubricant.

is of a size in excess of the diameter of the journal 12 but only enough larger to accommodate the bearing 22, wedge 23, and lubricator 24.

The brass or bearing 22 is removably carried in the housing 21 at the upper portion of the Chamber therein and adjacent the top 25. The bearing 22 is primarily an' elongate element arcuate in cross section and having a downwardly faced bearing 28 turned concentric with the axis of the journal 15. The bearing face is preferably lined or babbitted. The bearing 22 has a fiat upper face 29 and a shoulder 30 at the inner end thereof. The face 29 and shoulder 30 cooperate With the wedge 23 that retains thebearing 22 in working position. The inner end of the face 28 is rounded to fit the fillet 17 andl the hearing is somewhat shorter in length than the distancebetweenthe fillet:17 and. flange 16. Thus, there is limited axial. freedom of bearing 22 between the fillet 17 and' collar116 at the ends of the journal 15.

The.journalbearing wedge 23 is provided to retain lthe bearing 22' in. working position and is an elongate part i;

that is inserted into the housing 21 between the top 25 .and thebearing 22'. The wedge 23 is engaged over a shoulder 30 at the outer end of the housing and'engages the shoulder 30: of the bearing to hold the bearing in working position.

The lubricator 24 may vary widely and may besimple waste of material carried in thel reservoirV 27 and' acts'to absorb lubricant and .apply itl to thev journal .15. The.

The bearing 22 is held in position by the key-like wedgev 23 and the bearing is oiled by the lubricator 24. The housing 21 is characterized by an inner end wall in a plane-normal to the axis of the structure, there being an opening 36 in the wall 35 and adapted to pass, the flange 16= of the journal with substantial clearance. The outer end' of the housing 21 sclosed by a closure 37 that shuts an opening 38 provided for access to the parts carried Thus, an elongatechamber, I substantially rectangular in cross section is formed'andv i Clt within the housing. The opening 38 is of adequate size for removal and replacement of the elements 22, 23, and 24 and is employed for removal and insertion of the sealing element of the present invention.

The journal seal S that I have provided is adapted to be installed without removing: the side frame of the truck assembly of the railroad car. That is, it is not necessary to remove .and reassemble the side frame of the truck with the other parts thereof. The seal S involves a body A, sealing rings B and/ or B', .a means C yieldingly urging the rings B into pressure engagement with the part to be sealed against, and guides D for the rings B. The seal S engages over the journal 12 between the wall 35 and wheel 11 and is secured to the journal box Z to be carried thereby by a retainer R. The retainer R holds the seal S in the selected working position so that the sealing rings B surround and have sliding engagement with the seat 14 on the journal 12.

The body A, in accordance with the invention, is made of pliant fiexible material, such for example, as rubber or the like, and involves a mounting flange 40, an extension 41, and a sealing hub 42.' The flange 40 is held in engagement with the wall 35 by the retainer R, hereinafter described, while the hub 42 is axially spaced from the flange 40 to surround the seat 14 and is carriedl by the extension 41 that projects from the flange 40. The flange 40 is a flat elementV having inner and outer faces 44 and 45, respectively, the face 45 being adapted to engage flat against the'wall 35. A central opening 46 is provided in the flange 40 preferably of the same size and shape. as. the vopening 36 in the wall 35. It is a feature of the invention to provide a rim 47 at the periphery ofl the flange 4.0, the. rim 47 being in the form of an enlargement or bulb of greater thickness than the flange 40'. The rim 47 is continuous and extends along the sides, the top and the bottom of the housing 21 spaced inwardly from.

the outer margins thereof.

The retainer R that holds the seal S in working position is engaged over the journal 12 to occur between the journal box Z and the wheel 11 and is preferably a'l metal part involving a clamp plate 50 and a protecting.

fender or ring 51. The plate 50 is preferably of the same transverse configurationY as: the wall 35 so as to overlie. the wall 35- to be coextensive therewith. A central opening 56 is provided in' the plate 50 preferably of the same:

size and configuration as the openings 36 and 46. The outer wall 52'ofl the plate 50 is flat, there being a. recess 53 formed therein to receive. the flange of the body A. The recess 53 receives the flange 40 with substantial? lat- The plate 50 is drawn into engagement with the wallV 35 by means of suitable screw fasteners such as. bolts 55 or the like. Theprotecting ring 51 joins the plate 50 at the opening. 56.` and projects inwardly from the plate to overlie and. protect the parts of the seal S hereinafter described.

The extension 41 of the body A is provided to carry and place' the sealing hub 42 in the most advantageous position for operation, and as in the case illustrated, when the seat 14' is spacedinwardly from the wall 35, the extension 41 projects inwardly from the flange 40. The extension 41. is a circular part that joins the flange 40 'at the opening 46 and extends longitudinally of the structure to. terminate intermediate the extremities of the seat 14. In practice, the extension 41 is conical or convergent as it extends axially, the Iinner and outer walls 57 and 58 vof the extension being parallel. The inner end 59 of the extension 41 is in a plane spaced from the wheel 11 and occurs within the protecting ring 51 above referred to.

The sealing hub 42 carries the sealing rings B and B' and the means C and is a continuous annular part that surrounds the seat 14 of the journal 12. The hub 42 extends outwardly from the end 59 in order that the parts of the body A house the elements hereinafter described. An annular inwardly opening channel 60 is formed in the inner face 61 of the hub 42. The channel 60 is preferably Semi-circular in cross section having an arcuate wall continuing from the face 61 at the outer side of the channel and to an outwardly turned lip 62 -at the inner side of the channel. The inner face 61 of the hub 42 is rounded at the end 59 so that the lip 62 presents an outwardly turned lip Where it joins the channel 60.

In practice, there may be one or more channels depending upon the number of sealing rings that are to be employed. In the preferred form of the invention, there are two channels 60 and 60' for receiving sealing rings B and B'. The hub 42 has a circumferential face 63 substantially parallel with the inner face 61 and extending outwardly from the inner end of the body A and joined with the face 61 by an outer end Wall 64. The inner face 61 at the end wall 64 is rounded so that an outwardly turned lip 62' is formed at the outer side of the channel 60'.

It is a feature of this invention that the face 61 is outwardly convergent or conical so that the outer sealing ring B' and channel 60' is somewhat smaller in diameter than the inner sealing ring B and channel 60. Thus, it will be apparent that the ring B' will be tighter on the seat 14 than the ring B. Further, the lips 62 and 62' are such as to touch the seat 14 with slight compression only when the sealing rings B and B' are in pressure engagement with the seat 14 as hereinafter described.

The guides D that I have provided for the sealing rings B are adapted to provide outward displacement of the sealing hub 42 and parts related thereto. The guides D are in the form of inwardly projecting lugs having hub engaging faces 65 -adjacent to the outer end face 64 of the hub 42 and faced inwardly to stop the hub from moving outwardly. The guides D are inegrally formed with the body A and project inwardly from the .wall 57 of the extension 41, there being a series of equally spaced lugs. From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the body A is one integral element or part that is flexible and which can be freely manipulated as circumstances require.

In accordance with my invention, I have provided the sealing ring B and sealing ring B' which are essentially alike, each'involving a flexible body 70 adapted to conform to the configuration of the surface to be sealed against and adapted to absorb lubricant and foreign particles. The sealing rings B and B' are adapted to be carried in the Channels 60 and 60' respectively in which case the rings are continuous annular elements carried in the Channels for constrictive engagement with the seat 14. The annular ring-shaped body 70 of the rings B and B' is extremely flexible and absorptive and adapted to conform to the diameter of the seat 14 and to any irregular configuration thereof. As illustrated, the body 70 involves a case 71, and a core 72 within the case.

The case 71 is a continuous circular case preferably round in cross section for seating cngagement in the channel 60 or 60' as the case may be. In accordance with the invention, the case 71 is porous or foraminous having a multiplicity of openings 73 extending from the exterior to the interior thereof. The purpose of the openings is to pass lubricant or oil and foreign particles such as dust particles so that the oil and particles enter into the core carried within the case. In practice, the case 71 is a woven construction formed of threads preferably of heavy woolen fibers. The weave is loose and coarse, leaving a multiplicity of small openings 73 between the threads. The openings 73 are adapted to pass the lubricant and foreign particles while the case 71, as a whole, is adapted to house or enclose the core 72.

The core 72 is a body of absorbent material preferably loose cotton fibrous material and is carried within the case 71 to receive and retain lubricant and foreign particles that enter the case 71 through the openings 73. The loose body of the core 72 is flexible and composed of a maximum number of interstices in order to gain maximum absorptive qualities. In accordance with the invention, the case 71 is loosely woven of hard twisted woolen threads 74, the threads 74 being arranged in pairs and evenly passed over and under each other (as shown). With the looseness of weave that I employ, the openings 73 remain between the threads 74 to the end that the case 71 may be placed in circumferential tension or compression to thereby alter or change the overall diameter of the case 71. The core 72 being loose and flexible will conform readily to the configuration and diameter of the case '71. The sealing rings B and B' are made in the approximate size or diameter required and are inserted into the channels 60 and 60' to be carried by the body A of pliant material. In the preferred form of the invention, the seal rings B and B' are secured in working position by means of lacing or the like. The lacing may be of a suitable thread passed through the hub 42 of the body A as by means of a needle.

The means C which yieldingly urges the rings B and B' into pressure engagement with the seat 14 may be employed, and in practice, may be designed to atford the necessary pressure to gain the desired compression of the rings B and B' against the seat 14. As shown, the means C involves one or more annular Springs such as Springs 01 and 81' are preferably carried in annular grooves 82 and 82' formed in the outer wall 63 of the hub 42.

From the foregoing description of the preferred form of my invention, it will be apparent that I have provided an extremely simple sealing construction particularly adapted to seal with the seat of a railroad car journal bearing. In order to install or replace the seal that I have provided, it is merely necessary to remove the lubricator and journal bearing or brass from the journal box. This may be easily accomplished by simply jacking up the frame of the truck whereupon the journal bearing wedge may be removed, thereby releasing the journal bearing. With the parts removed from the chamber within the journal box housing, the flexible and pliant body A carrying the sealing rings B and other parts and features above described may be engaged over the journal and moved axially through the journal box and through the opening at the inner end of the journal box. Thus, it will be readily observed that it is a simple matter to pass the seal from the exterior of the truck to the interior' working position between the journal and the wheel. With the seal S in this position, the retainer R may be engaged with the flange of the seal Sand clamped into engagement with the wall 35 securing the seal in proper Operating position. With the seal thus applied, it will be apparent that the rings B and B' are constricted onto the seat 14 and that the lips 60 and 60' are faced outwardly to prevent fiow of lubricant along the seat 14.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A seal for installation at the inner end of a journal box of the character described and engageable with a rotating journal, including, a body of pliant material having a flange engaged with the end of the box and a hub surrounding the journal, and an absorbent sealing i ring carried by the hub and having a loosely woven case engaged with the journal.

2. A seal for installation at the inner end of a journal box of the Character described and engageable with a rotating journal, including, a body of pliant material having a 'fiange engaged With the end of the box and a hub surrounding the journal, there being a lip on the hub engaged With the journal, and an absorbent sealing ring .adjacent thelip and engaged with the journal.

3. A seal for installation at the inner end of a journal box of the Character described and engageable With a rotating journal, including, a body of pliant material having a fiange engaged with the end of the box and a hub surrounding the journal, there being an inwardly opening channel in the hub, and an absorbent sealing ring carried in the Channel and having a loosely woven case engaged with the journal.

4. A seal for installation at the inner end of a journal box of the Character described and engageable With a rotating journal, including, a body of pliant material having a fiange engaged With the end of the box and a hub surrounding the journal, there being an inwardly opening channel in the hub, a lip adjacent the channel and engaged With the journal, and a sealing ring of compressible material carried in the channel and engaged with the journal, said Channel being of predetermined cross sectional configuration and said lip limiting inward movement of the body to thereby control compression of the ring.

5. A seal for installation at the inner end of a journal box of the Character described and engageable with a rotating journal, including, a body of pliant material having a fiange engaged With the end of the box and a hub surrounding the journal, there bing an inwardly opening channel in the hub, an absorbent sealing ring carried in the channel and having a loosely woven case engaged With the journal, and means securing the sealing ring in working position in the channel.

6. A seal for installation at the inner end of a journal box of the Character described and engageable With a rotating journal, including, a body of pliant material having a fiange engaged With the end of the box and a hub surrounding the journal, there being an inwardly opening channel in the hub, a sealing ring carried in the channel and engaged with the journal, and Circumferentially spaced lugs projecting inwardly from the fiange to engage the hub to prevent axial displacement of the hub and sealing ring carried thereby.

7. A seal for installation at the inner end of a journal box of the Character described and engageable With a rof tating journal, including, a body of pliant material having a fiange engaged With the end of the box and a hub surrounding the journal, an absorbent sealing ring carried by the hub and having a loosely woven case engaged With the journal, and means engaged With the hub and yieldingly urging the seal into pressure engagement With the journal.

8. A seal for installation at the inner end of a journal box of the Character described and engageable With a rotating journal, including, a body of pliant material having a fiange engaged with the end of the box and a hub surrounding the journal, and a pair of axially spaced absorbent sealing rings carried by the hub and engaged with the journal, the hub having a radially inwardly tapered inner surface so that one of said rings is tighter on the journal than the other.

9. A seal for installation at the inner end of a journal box of the Character described and engageable With a rotating journal, including, a body of pliant material having a fiange engaged with the end of the box and a hub surrounding the journal, there being a pair of axially spaced inwardly opening Channels in the hub, an absorbent sealing ring carried in each channel and each having a loosely woven case engaged With the journal, one of said rings being tighter on the journal than the other.

10. A seal for installation at the inner end of a journal box of the `Character. described land engageable With a rotating journal, including, a body of pliant material having aflangeengaged with the end of the box and a hub surrounding .the journal, there being a pair of axially spaced inwardly opening Channels in the hub, a sealing ring of compressible material carried in each Channel and engaged with the journal, the hub having a radially inwardly tapered inner surface so that one of said rings is tighter on ,the journal than the other, said Channels being a predetermined Cross sectional configuration and said body engaged with the journal to thereby Control compression of the ring.

11. A seal for installation at the inner end of a journal box of the Character described and engageable With a rotating journal, including, a body of pliant material having a fiange engaged with the end of the box and a hub surrounding the journal, there being a pair of axially spaced inwardly opening Channels in the hub, lips adjacent the .Channels and engaged with the journal, a sealing ring of compressible material carried in each Channel and engaged With the journal, one of said rings being tighter on the journal than the other, said Channels being of predetermined cross sectional configuration and said lips limiting inward movement of the body to thereby control compression of the ring.

12. A seal for installation at the inner end of a journal box of the Character described and engageable with a rotating journal, including, a body of pliant material having a fiange engaged with the end of the box and a hub surrounding the journal, a retainer fastened to the end of the box and engaged With the fiange to secure the body in Working position, and an absorbent sealing ring carried by the hub and having a loosely woven Case engaged With the journal.

13. A seal for installation at the inner end of a journal box of the Character described and engageable With a rotating journal, including, a body of pliant material having a fiange engaged With the end of the box and a hub surrounding the journal, a retainer fastened to the end of the box and engaged With the fiange to secure the body in working position, there being an inwardly opening channel in the hub, and an absorbent sealing ring carried in the channel and having a loosely woven case engaged With the journal.

14. A flexible sealing ring for engaging With and sealing against a rotating surface comprising a supple body including, a case of hard Wear resistant material and having a multiplicity of openings therein, and a core of Compressible absorbent material carried Within the case for receiving material through said openings.

15. A flexible sealing ring for engaging with and sealing against a rotating surface comprising a supple body including, a woven case of hard wear resistant material and having a multiplicity of openings therein, and a core of compressible absorbent material carried within the Case for receiving material through said openings.

16. A flexible sealing ring for engaging With and sealing against a rotating surface comprising a supple body including, a loosely woven case of hard wear resistant material and having a multiplicity of openings therein, and a Core of compressible absorbent material carried within the case for receiving material through said openings.

17. A flexible sealing ring for engaging with and sealing against a rotating surface comprising a supple body including, a loosely woven case of hard woolen fibers having a multiplicity of openings therein, and a core of compressible absorbent material carried Within the case for receiving material through said openings.

18. A flexible sealing ring for engaging With and sealing against a rotating surface comprising a supple body including, a loosely woven case of hard twisted woolen fibers having a multiplicity of openings therein, and a References Cited n the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,360,106 Buhler Oct. 10, 1944 10 Cook June 19, 1951 Ayres et al. May 1, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS Sweden Mar. 31, 1942 France Ian. 10, 1953 

